Page 30 of Dealing With Drak

He hasn’t taken his hands off of my hips, despite the fact that my boots are now firmly planted on the ground. There’s the itch to stab him, but then there’s a horrible twist in my gut when I think about actually doing it. This trip is messing with my head.

“Fine,” I reply, willing myself to step back so his hands fall away. But I don’t. He’s so close to me, his broad, muscular chest only inches from my face. I have to look up, craning my neck just to look at his face. “If you think it feels safe, we should start hiking to the river. It’s not far, but it would be closer to where they’d camp if they’re here. Water source and all that.”

His pearly white fangs flash into a smile. “I do not feel wary, Mean One. It will be a safe journey. Shall you wear your armor?”

Cocking an eyebrow at him, I ask, “Are you going to let me get shot?”

As if it were instinct, his fingers dig into my sides, hands tightening around me. “Never,” Drak replies, eyes blazing. “I will use my body to shield you before I let a hu-nim weapon harm you—before I let any weapon harm you.”

Unable to stop it, a shiver rolls down my spine, forcing a shaky breath from between my lips. The utter devotion in his words… it’s too good to be true.

Clinging on to every bit of strength in me, I flip one of my braids over my shoulder, spin on my heels, and begin to lead the way. Drak’s hands fall with reluctance, dragging from my hips slowly. I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting the warmth that swells in my stomach at the sensation.

“Good,” I reply with my back to him.

It doesn’t take him more than a second to glue himself to my side, looking prepared to dive in front of me and protect me at any given moment.

“I hear water,” he tells me, his pointed ears shifting like he’s trying to listen more closely. “It sounds strong.”

I think about the little river and remember what makes it flow.

“There’s a waterfall,” I explain. “Does your planet have those?”

His responding smile is telling. “Oh yes, Aprix has many of these.”

“The name doesn’t translate exactly?” I arch a brow up at him, wondering since he doesn’t try to say it.

Drak’s expression becomes almost sheepish. It’s a strange sight to see because he’s almost exclusively happy-go-lucky or bloodthirsty. The man will kill something with his teeth and then grin and laugh with the blood still smearing his lips. Being shy isn’t really in his personality.

“There is no one word for it in our language,” he says carefully like he’s trying to explain something difficult. “If I were to say how we speak it in Ang’lish, it would not sound right.”

Shrugging, I suggest, “Try it.”

Drak sighs but complies. “The high wind’s water, crushing to the rocks.”

“It sounds fine to me,” I say honestly. “It’s like… poetic or something.”

His brows furrow. “Po-e-tick?”

“It means something that sounds like poetry,” I explain. “Poetry is like… writing with feelings and rhythm. It’s a respected art form and beautiful to a lot of people.”

“You think my words to be beautiful, An-nana?”

“Sure,” I mumble, wishing I could just be honest and tell him yes.

“I think you are beautiful,” he tells me, shocking me so much that I flinch.

I pause, glancing at him from the side. My heart is starting to jump around in my chest, and I feel like I just swallowed my tongue.

“Drak, it’s not nice to tease,” I bite out, expression hard.

“I do not tease,” he defends, affronted by the accusation. “You are lovely to look at, An-nana. Why do you say I tease?”

Glowering at his innocent look, I lift my chin at him. “Boys don’t call me beautiful or lovely, Drak. If you were really trying to be my friend, you wouldn’t lie to me.”

His huge hands surround the sides of my face, and I stiffen, resisting the urge to bite him. “I. Do. Not. Lie,” he growls. “I find you mesmerizing, stubborn female. Do not tell me that my words are not in truth, and I am not a boy.”

“Shut up,” I spit out angrily, allowing him to keep his hands on my face. “Why are you insisting on this, Drak? Brooke is beautiful, Stevie is beautiful. Hell, all of the other girls are beautiful. Don’t act like I’m even close to looking like what they look like.”

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